NCAA Season Preview
Cammi Granato Award Winner Natálie Mlýnková celebrating with Univ. of Vermont Teammates
As hockey season gets ever closer, ČWHR turns its focus to the upcoming NCAA season, where the rigorous demands of being a full-time athlete meet the pressures of full-time academia. With the European pre-season in full swing and international tournaments like the Euro Hockey Tour about to be underway, many players are already getting a taste of what's to come. Yet, for those in the NCAA, the challenge is just beginning.
Tereza Vanišová - University of Maine
The NCAA has long been a proving ground for some of Czechia's brightest stars, with a significant number of the national team's players having honed their skills at some of the top NCAA programs. Notable alumni include Denisa Křížová (Northeastern University), Kateřina Mrázová (Minnesota Duluth), Klára Hymlárová (St. Cloud State), Michaela Pejzlová (Clarkson), Tereza Vanišová (University of Maine), and more. With the rise of the PWHL offering professional opportunities in North America, the NCAA remains an attractive option for Czech players looking to develop their skills while earning a degree, with the potential of staying on this side of the Atlantic post-graduation.
However, the 2024-2025 season marks a pivotal moment—a transition. Last season witnessed the lowest number of Czech players in the NCAA in eight years. Despite this, the coming season is set to feature a blend of record-setting performers ready to graduate, rising stars poised to leave their mark, and a fresh influx of talent that signals a promising future.
The next wave of Czech talent is already making waves, with exciting commitments beginning as early as next season. Among the most notable are SDHL stars Adéla Šapovalivová, who will be joining the University of Wisconsin, and Tereza Plosová, who has committed to the University of Minnesota. These players have already shown their worth in Sweden and on the international stage, and their transition to NCAA hockey will be closely watched.
Meanwhile, two talented players have already started making a name for themselves in North America. Anežka Čabelová, hailing from Český Krumlov, is playing for the RHA Kelowna U18s in the CSSHL and has committed to Boston University. Additionally, Aneta Šenková, a promising 18-year-old goalie from Litoměřice, is playing for the Kingston Jr. Ice Wolves in the OWHL U22 AA league and has committed to Clarkson University. Both are joining fantastic programs, which will only do wonders to their future development.
However as exciting as it is to look forward, there are key storylines to watch THIS season. Chief among them is the imminent graduation of two of the NCAA's most accomplished Czech players: Natálie Mlýnková, entering her fifth year at the University of Minnesota after a stellar four-year stint at the University of Vermont, and Kristýna Kaltounková from Colgate University. These two players have blazed their own paths in NCAA hockey, yet their stories couldn't be more different.
Kristýna Kaltounková - Colgate University
Kaltounková has been a force at Colgate, dominating the ECAC for four consecutive years and setting multiple records. With over 50 points in each of the past three seasons, including 57 points in the last two, she holds the Colgate record for most career goals, most career powerplay goals, and is second in career points, trailing only PWHL Ottawa's Danielle Serdachny. Despite her on-ice success, Kaltounková’s name has been conspicuously absent from discussions surrounding the national team—a situation that may surprise many English-speaking fans. The rift between Kaltounková and the national team reportedly stems from disagreements over her playing role and strategic direction from after her time with the U18’s, issues that the current coaching regime have had to inherit and are still navigating. Though the details remain unclear, it’s evident that this tension has overshadowed her exceptional talent, a fact that cannot be ignored as she prepares for what could be her final NCAA season.
Yet perhaps the most intriguing final season to watch will come from another fifth-year upcoming graduate, none other than Natálie Mlýnková, the 23-year-old from Zlín, who is making her way to the University of Minnesota to join the Golden Gophers after wrapping up her senior season as the captain of the Vermont Catamounts. Mlýnková has consistently posted stellar stats throughout her collegiate career, establishing herself as an integral part of the future leadership core for the Czech national team. Last year, Mlýnková’s remarkable performance earned her the Cammi Granato Award for the best player in Hockey East. Following a 33-point season (building on her career high 42-point season during her junior year), Mlýnková is now just three points away from reaching the career milestone of 100 points—an achievement I fully expect her to surpass very early in the upcoming season.
As she prepares for this pivotal year, Mlýnková reflected on how her game has evolved since she first stepped onto the college hockey stage four years ago. "I think since I got to college hockey, the biggest development over the years came from my defensive game," she shared. "I believe I’m a 200-foot forward now and can defend better, block shots, play PK, and play decent in the D-zone." An evolution that has turned her into a more complete player, capable of making an impact all over the ice, evidenced by her complete performance at this years world championships.
Living and playing in the U.S. has also had a profound impact on Mlýnková, both as an athlete and as an individual. She noted, "I definitely learned and grew a lot as a player and person. I take lots of details into preparation for hockey more seriously—school, nutrition, recovery, sleeping schedule, and so on." Aspects of preparation that have been so vital to her development, helping her to consistently perform at a high level.
Natálie Mlýnková - University of Vermont
As she looks ahead, Mlýnková is excited about the potential transition into professional hockey, though she’s careful not to get too far ahead of herself. "I’m not trying to look too much ahead. However, thinking about transitioning into professional hockey, whatever it’ll look like, is definitely exciting," she admitted. Another significant goal on the horizon is the upcoming 2026 Olympics, and of course, the World Championships at home in Czechia in 2025, which will be held on home soil. "Our goal is to have success there," she added, clearly motivated by the challenges ahead.
Reflecting on her NCAA journey, she shared one particularly memorable moment from her second year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With several teammates testing positive for the virus on the day of a game, Mlýnková was asked to play defense—a role she wasn’t accustomed to. Despite the challenges, and with just 13 skaters and one goalie, her team managed to pull off an unlikely victory. "It was surprisingly very fun without pressure and something I’ll always remember," she recalls. As for her time at the University of Vermont, Mlýnková fondly recalls the beautiful campus and the close-knit community that made the place feel like home. "UVM is a beautiful place with a beautiful campus. People make the place feel like home, and the nature is just gorgeous," she remarked.
As Natálie embarks on her final NCAA season with the University of Minnesota, she carries with her the experiences, memories, and growth she’s accumulated over the years. Her journey is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and passion for the game—qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well as she prepares to take the next step in her career, whether that’s in professional hockey, the Olympics, or beyond.
In addition to my conversation with Natálie, I also had the unique opportunity to catch up with two other Czech players who are making their mark in the NCAA this season: Andrea Trnková and Michaela Hesová
Andrea Trnková, now in her sophomore year at RPI, has already shown significant growth since her arrival in the NCAA. Reflecting on her first year, Trnková noted how playing in the U.S. has allowed her to develop a calmer and more composed style of play, a stark contrast to the fast-paced games she was accustomed to back in Czechia. "Playing with guys back home was really quick, and you didn’t have any time, but now I’m trying to be calmer and keep the puck on the stick," she explained.
Andrea Trnková - RPI
The transition to life in the U.S. was not without its challenges for Trnková. Moving halfway across the world, away from everything familiar, was a daunting experience. "It was really challenging. I’ve never been outside my home for such a long time and to go to the other side of the planet was actually crazy when I think about it now," she said. Despite the initial difficulties, including adjusting to a new language and culture, Trnková has embraced the independence and personal growth that the experience has brought her.
Academically, Trnková is majoring in Business and Management, a decision influenced by the demands of balancing a Division I sport with schoolwork. "It’s not the first major I would choose back at home, but I wasn’t sure with majors at RPI. Coaches and the school advised me to take this major because a lot of hockey players here take it and they can help you a lot with that," she shared.
When asked about her favorite memories from her NCAA journey so far, Trnková fondly recalled scoring her first goal in her debut game for RPI, a moment that took her by surprise as a defenseman. But perhaps the most memorable moment came during a game against Colgate, where she made a dramatic last-second save, preventing an empty-net goal by diving to stop the puck just before it crossed the line. "It was actually funny looking, but I was proud of our team—we played so well against a team like Colgate," she reflected.
I also spoke with goaltender Michaela Hesová, a highly anticipated freshman at Dartmouth who is eager to start her NCAA career. Over the past few seasons, Hesová has honed her patience and composure in the net, which she believes has been crucial in her transition from U18 to the senior women’s national team. "The main goal for my first NCAA season is to help out the team as much as I can and play the best hockey I possibly can," she emphasized, focusing on controlling what she can and contributing to the team’s success.
Beyond the rink, Hesová is excited about experiencing college life at an Ivy League institution. "I’m really excited to experience just the general college student life, especially on campus and in facilities like Dartmouth has," she shared. The opportunity to attend such a prestigious school while continuing to pursue her passion for hockey is something she’s long dreamed of.
Michaela
Hesová - Dartmouth
Reflecting on her time at 19U AAA program Bishop Kearney, Hesová considers the decision to move there as one of the best of her life. The experience helped her grow both as a player and a person, and the relationships she formed there have become like a second family. "I’m sad to let BK go, but I’m excited about the new chapter at Dartmouth," she said.
Hesová is also thrilled to have been selected for the upcoming Euro Hockey Tour, representing the Czech national team. "Wearing the national team jersey and representing my country is always an honor and a privilege. I’m grateful for every chance I get to gain experience with the national team on the international stage," she remarked. With her NCAA journey just beginning and her continued involvement with the national team, Hesová is poised for an exciting year ahead.
As the NCAA season kicks off, the contributions and journeys of these Czech players will be closely followed by our teams here at ČWHR. Czech hockey continues to make its mark on the NCAA stage. As these players step onto the ice, they not only carry the pride of their individual universities but also the hopes of a nation eager to see them succeed. With a unique blend of talent this season is sure to deliver, it promises to be an exciting chapter in the story of Czech women’s hockey in North America. Stay tuned as we follow their progress and witness the impact they will undoubtedly have on the game!
